NEW YORK — It was during the All-Star break when Braves manager Brian Snitker ruminated over the idea before making something of a bold decision: He would install 20-year-old rookie Ronald Acuña — he of the 43 games of major league experience to that point, with limitless talent but a modest on-base-percentage — in the leadoff spot in hopes of re-igniting Atlanta’s desultory offense.

Snitker had intended to unplug his brain from baseball during the break but couldn’t do that because four of his players were in the All-Star Game, including two voted to start — Freddie Freeman and 34-year-old first-time All-Star Nick Markakis. So Snitker watched the Midsummer Classic for the first time in years. And Freeman was also in the Home Run Derby, so Snitker even watched that.

Then there was the matter of his team, which was leaking oil. Snitker sought to do something to help keep the Braves in the National League East race when play resumed. The Braves had lost...